JOB DESCRIPTION
Reports to: Head of Fundraising
Direct reports: None
Location: Northampton
Contract type: Permanent, full-time
Hours of work: 35 hours per week; 9:00am to 5:00pm, Monday to Friday
Benefits: 30 days annual leave, Vitality Health Insurance, 24-hour Employee Assistance Programme, paid enhanced DBS, free onsite parking, personal training budget, matchday tickets / club discounts
BACKGROUND
Northampton Saints Rugby Football Club was formed in 1880, when Reverend Samuel Wathen Wigg identified rugby as a way to channel the energies of some of the county’s more troubled youngsters. More than 145 years on, Northampton Saints Foundation continues his legacy, using the power of sport and the values of rugby to INSPIRE, SUPPORT and EDUCATE thousands of people each year. Our education and social inclusion programmes inspire the current generation to learn, develop new skills, increase confidence and where appropriate return to education, training or employment.
ROLE
To lead and develop the Foundation’s individual giving programmes, driving income growth through matchday fundraising, challenge events, In-Memoriam and Legacy giving, and volunteer engagement. The successful candidate will be a key architect of the Foundation’s long-term fundraising strategy, developing new income streams that will support the Foundation’s mission for generations to come.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Support the Head of Fundraising to develop and launch the Foundation’s In-Memoriam and Legacy giving strategy, creating a compelling and sensitive proposition that connects long-standing supporters with the Foundation’s long-term mission.
- Plan and deliver matchday fundraising activity – including raffles and the One for the Foundation campaign – to meet or exceed revenue targets, continuously improving the supporter experience and income generated.
- Plan, manage and grow a calendar of fundraising events and challenge events, developing strong supporter and volunteer relationships to build a loyal and active fundraising community.
- Develop and manage stewardship processes for In-Memoriam donors and Legacy pledgers, ensuring all communications are sensitive, dignified and in keeping with the Foundation’s values.
- Support the development and launch of a monthly Lottery, ensuring all licensing, administration and promotional requirements are in place.
- Develop a Regular Giving / Friend of the Foundation programme, building a sustained and growing base of committed individual donors.
- Work effectively with the marketing, communications and operations team to promote all fundraising activity across digital and physical channels, and to celebrate the impact of the Foundation’s programmes.
- Provide monthly fundraising income reports to the Head of Fundraising, tracking progress against targets and identifying opportunities for improvement.
- Support other members of the Fundraising and wider teams with day-to-day activities where needed, and contribute to the overall ethos, work and aims of the Foundation.
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
- Proven experience in a fundraising role, with demonstrable success in community, events or individual giving fundraising (essential)
- Experience of or exposure to In-Memoriam, Legacy or regular giving fundraising (desirable)
- Experience of planning, delivering and evaluating fundraising events, from small community events to larger-scale occasions (essential)
- Experience of volunteer coordination and supporter stewardship (essential)
- Experience of using CRM and digital fundraising platforms (desirable)
- Knowledge of fundraising regulations and GDPR best practices in the UK charity sector (essential)
KEY COMPETENCIES
- Demonstrable ability to plan, prioritise and manage a varied workload, balancing programme development with ongoing operational delivery
- Excellent communication skills – both written and verbal – with the ability to create high-quality, compelling content for diverse audiences including bereaved families, older supporters, and community fundraisers
- Sensitivity, emotional intelligence and relationship management skills – essential for working with bereaved families and long-standing supporters on Legacy and In-Memoriam giving
- Creative and entrepreneurial approach to fundraising, with a commitment to innovation and continuous improvement
- Ability to demonstrate initiative and work well under pressure, with strong organisational skills and excellent attention to detail
- Ability to understand and work within budgets, including accurate reporting and income tracking
- Ability and willingness to travel for work
- Willingness to work occasional evenings and weekends (including Matchdays) as required
OUR VALUES
All employees are expected to demonstrate and uphold our company values in their day-to-day work. These values guide how we collaborate, make decisions, and deliver impact. By embodying these principles, every team member contributes to a positive, inclusive, and high-performing workplace culture that supports our mission and goals
We are One Team – We support each other, share success, and work together towards common goals We are Role Models – We lead with integrity, humility, and accountability — at every level. We are a Safe Space – We create an environment where everyone feels secure, respected, and able to be themselves. We are Inclusive – We value every individual and actively work to ensure everyone feels they belong.
OTHER
The role description, person specification, role grade and role title may be subject to change at the discretion of Northampton Saints Foundation and in accordance with business developments. Any changes will be communicated to the role holder as appropriate.
Northampton Saints Foundation is an equal opportunities employer and would welcome applications from a fully diverse range of candidates, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, faith or disability.
The successful candidate will be subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring service check and a Section 128 Check.
A full, clean driving licence and access to a vehicle to travel to sites is essential.
APPLICATION:
Please send CV and covering letter to hr@northamptonsaintsfoundation.org with your name and role applied for in the subject line.
Closing date: 5th June 2026
Please note, if we receive a large number of applications, we may close the process early, so interested parties are encouraged to submit their applications as soon as possible.
Any CV’s, contact details or other personal data shared with Northampton Saints Foundation in relation to this position will be processed for recruitment purposes only. We are storing this data in line with our privacy policy, and any information will only be shared internally as required to undertake shortlisting and interviews with those directly connected to the recruitment process.
We would like to keep this data until this position is filled. When that period is over, we will delete your data unless we specifically inform you that we will keep it on file for future roles.
To see a copy of our privacy policy or if you have any queries relating to how we manage personal data, please contact admin@northamptonsaintsfoundation.org.